Opera awarded at Oliviers

Baritone Christian Gerhaher and a production of Bohème won the two opera awards at last night's Oliviers ceremony.

Christian Gerhaher won Outstanding Achievement in Opera for his performance in Wagner’s Tannhauser at the Royal Opera House, beating fellow nominees Jonas Kaufmann and Andrew Shore.

Best New Opera Production went to a rendition of La Bohème that started life in a pub theatre. OperaUpClose’s production, directed by Robin Norton-Hale, is a very modern take on the popular classic, transporting the story to modern-day Soho.

The extravagant Laurence Olivier Awards ceremony is the biggest in the British theatre calendar, and took place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane last night. Other awards recognised British plays, musicals and dance. A special award went to musical theatre and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, to mark his 80th birthday.